h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I would be grateful if you can tell me which Squadron of the RAF based at Tangmere August/September 1940 left on 14 September 1940 on Ship Goodleigh
sailed to Brest. Then to Bar-le Duc,
Bethenville. Rheges. possibly.
Regards Bill at fourdaysinmay

I do not know nor can I find any RAF Fighter Squadron that fits your dates and locations.

Nos. 17 and 43 Fighter Squadrons left Tangmere in September 1940, but 17 Squadron went to Debden, until October, then to Martlesham until February 1941; 43 Squadron went to Drem.

No. 501 Fighter Squadron roughly follows your itinerary but unfortunately not your dates:

Tangmere: November 1939 to May 1940.
Bethienville: May 1940
Anglure: May-June 1940
Le Mans: June 1940
Dinard June 1940
Croydon June-July 1940

If you are researching the record of a serviceman then he may have been posted to different squadrons. If so, try RAF Service Records here: http://www.mod.uk/contacts/raf_records.htm

Regards,

Peter

I just realised that you are asking about RAF Squadrons in France AFTER September 1940! Of course there were none, the only fighter squadrons in France in September 1940 were German.

Peter,
I am an idiot! I meant to say left Tangmere September 1939 to go to France September 1939 and returned to
Northolt June 1940.Sorry.
Regards. Bill at fourdaysinmay.

The Advanced Air Striking Force (AASF), the RAF component of the BEF in France in 1939, was composed of three wings: No, 67 Fighter Wing, No. 75 Bomber Wing, and No. 76 Bomber Wing.

No. 67 Fighter Wing had three fighter squadrons Nos 1, 73, and 501, together with 62 W.S.U.

Of these only No.1 Fighter Squadron fits the bill:

Tangmere: February 1927 to September 1939.
Octeville: September 1039.
Norrent Fontes: September to October 1939.
Vassincourt: October 1939 to April 1940 (with a detatchment at Rouvres).
Berry-au-Bac: May 1940.
Then retreating to Conde, Anglure, Chateaudun, Boos, Angers, Nantes during May and June 1940.
Northholt: June 1940.

All the best

Peter

Peter,
Many thanks. I will now continue my searches. I have the pocket diaries
of my wifes grandfather from 1936 to
1945. He went back to France in 1944
after Normandy and came home in 1945.
I will let you know anything of interest that I discover,as I will go
to the PRO to confirm his record,and
his role with the squadron.
Regards Bill at fourdaysinmay.

Peter,
I have continued with my research into my wifes grandfather Arthur Jupp.I have asked RAF Innsworth to forward his service record. I have also visited the National Archive and
read Air 41/21 and there is no doubt he served with No.1 Squadron from Sep 1939 to 25 June 1940. He was amongst the last to leave on 17 June 1940 from La Rochelle. While at the NA I also read No.1 Squadron records Air 27/1-4.and have a large amount of information. I am going to write the
story for his grandchildren and great
grandchidren. I am going to research
in detail the last week in France. Many from the squadron died on the Lancastria and there was it would appear much bravery by those who stayed behind to transport equipment
to La Rochelle. If you like I will send you a copy. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Regards Bill

Bill Many thanks for your kind and generous offer to send me the results of your further reaserch, but that will not be necassary. If I may, I shall conatact you here should I need your help. I look forward to reading your story. You mentioned the Lancastria disaster, that was discussed on this thread some time ago: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/F1749532?thread=385740&show=20&skip=0&lpcr=0 it leads on to other related threads which you may find of interest. Of the circa 2,000 lost, 239 have been identified as RAF personnel. These were mainly drivers of the hundreds of vehicles the RAF had in France; 32 are buried in France and 207 are commemorated on the Runnymede Memmorial. A full list (names, ages, ranks, and squadrons) appears in "The Forgotten Tragedy - The Story of the Sinking of HMT Lancastria" by Brian James Crabb (Shaun Tyas, 2003). Once again, many thanks for your kind offer, Regards, Peter